Jo Jordan

Georgette "Jo" Jordan
Official photo of Representative Jo Jordan for the 2011-2012 legislative session.
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 44th district
In office
January 19, 2011 – 2017
Preceded by Maile Shimabukuro
Succeeded by Cedric Gates
Personal details
Born (1962-05-05) May 5, 1962
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Alma mater Waianae High School
Occupation Legislator
Profession Tax preparer and small business owner ("The Tax Lady")[1]
Committees Finance
Health
Housing
Human Services
Website Legislative website

Georgette "Jo" Jordan (born May 5, 1962) is the current Democratic representative of the 44th House District of the Hawaii House of Representatives, which includes Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Makua, and parts of Māʻili on the island of Oahu. Jordan was appointed to the seat by Governor Neil Abercrombie on January 19, 2011[2] after the seat was vacated by Maile Shimabukuro, who filled Colleen Hanabusa's vacated Senate seat.

Legislative history

2011–2012: Appointment to and First Term in the House

Jordan was appointed to her seat in the 45th district by Governor Neil Abercrombie on January 19, 2011. The then-incumbent Maile Shimabukuro was appointed to Colleen Hanabusa's vacated Senate seat.

For the 2011 and 2012 sessions, Jordan sat on five committees in the House of Representatives: Human Services, Culture and the Arts, Finance, Hawaiian Affairs, and Health.[3] She was Vice Chair on the House Committee of Human Services.

Jordan has a TV show on ‘Ōlelo Community Television called Jordan's Journal. On her program, she interviews legislators and community members about issues affecting her district. She has interviewed state representatives such as Sharon Har, Linda Ichiyama, and Marcus Oshiro; community members such as education reform activist Mark Dannog and harbormaster William Aila; and representatives from organizations such as Kamehameha Schools and Ordnance Reef.

Jordan voted in support of Senate Bill 232, which legalized gender-neutral civil unions in Hawaii. The measure passed the House by a vote of 31–19.[4]

In August 2011, Jordan expressed opposition to extending the life of Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on the grounds that the deadline did not give sufficient time for the community to express their opinions and that the community had been accepting Oahu's trash for the past twenty years. Jordan urged the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting to "seriously consider other sites outside of the Leeward Coast."[5]

2013–present: Election and Second Term in the House

On November 6, 2012, Jordan was elected to the recently redistricted 44th district of the Hawaii House of Representatives. She currently sits on four committees: Finance, Health, Housing, and Human Services.[6]

Jordan, a lesbian, created controversy on November 6, 2013, when she voted against a bill] to allow same-sex marriage. Despite her no vote, the bill passed. On November 9, 2013, the Hawaii House passed same-sex marriage, to become the 16th state to do so. It is believed that Jordan is the first openly gay legislator in the US to vote against same-sex marriage.

In 2014, Jo Jordan was re-elected with 60.7% of the vote in the general election against Cedric Gates (23%) of the Green Party and Allen "Al" Frenzel (16.2%) of the Libertarian Party.

In 2016, Cedric Asuega Gates switched parties and ran in the Democratic primary, where he defeated Jordan.

References

  1. ↑ Jordan, Georgette (2007). "2007 Neighborhood Board Candidate Profiles". City and County of Honolulu. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Star-Advertiser Staff (19 January 2011). "Abercrombie fills Waianae state House seat". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Representative Jo Jordan". Hawaii State Legislature. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples - Voting Record". Project Vote Smart. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ↑ Jordan, Jo (12 August 2011), Re: File Number: 2011/GEN-8 (PDF), Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii House of Representatives, retrieved 12 January 2012
  6. ↑ "Representative Jo Jordan". Hawaii State Legislature. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
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